Thank you very much to those who have been able to come along to Mass over the last months and who have gladly responded to last-minute requests for readers etc. We hope we can return to more regular and formal rotas in the next few weeks. We will be looking for welcomers, readers, servers, extraordinary ministers of communion, collectors and offertory bearers. Appropriate training will be available, especially for readers and servers. If you feel you could help with these ministries, at either of the Sunday Masses and particularly if you are new to the parish, please contact Andy Doyle (0798 543 4185 or andydoyle1066@sky.com)
All posts by Parish Secretary
Online events this week
- Virtual Coffee Morning; Saturday at 10.30am.
- Online Gospel Reflection; Sunday at 11.00am.
For login details, see the ‘St Cuthbert’s Parish Community’ Facebook page, or email margaretdoyle1066@sky.com .
Red Mission Boxes
Please bring in your mission boxes for emptying and counting by 15th August. You can leave them in the sacristy and they will normally be available to be picked up afresh from the porch the following week. If you do not already have one but would like to have a red box in support of the missions, please contact Andy Doyle (0798 543 4185 or andydoyle1066@sky.com.) Alternatively, as cash seems to be less popular in today’s society, you can donate direct to Missio via their website at https://missio.org.uk/donate/
Bereavement Support
Diocesan Days of Reflection
For Readers; Saturday 9th October, at Ushaw College.
For Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; Saturdays 16th and 30th October, at Ushaw College.
This is an opportunity to pray and reflect on your ministry, as we move back towards normality after the restrictions of the pandemic. Training is also being offered for Welcomers, Readers and Sacristans. If you are interested in any of these events, please speak to Fr Andrew or see the leaflet on the church noticeboard.
The Anscombe Bioethics Centre
The Anscombe Bioethics Centre in Oxford is seeking to appoint a full-time Education & Research Officer and a part-time Media & Communications Manager. Closing date for both posts is Monday 23rd August. Full application pack at www.bioethics.org.uk
North East Churches Acting Together – Environmental Conference
Saturday 4th September, 9.30am-1.30pm, on Zoom. For church members who are interested in Care for Creation, impacts of Climate Change, practical steps to becoming an Eco Church and taking action here in the North-East. The day will feature breakout discussion rooms and stories linked to action, practical advice and support. Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-east-environment-conference-tickets-157279793095
Society of Saint Gregory Annual Summer School of liturgy and music
4 – 6 August, via Zoom. This year’s theme is ‘The God Who Speaks: Celebrating, living and sharing God’s Word’ The invited speakers, Sr. Margaret Atkins, Fleur Dorrell, Bob Hurd, Nicholas King SJ, David McLoughlin, Dan Schutte and Dr. Gemma Simmonds CJ, will explore all the different ways that God speaks to us. Bishop Peter Brignall, the initiator of ‘The God Who Speaks’, will introduce two days of prayer, contemplation, discussion and debate and there will be liturgies with music. Details and bookings at https://www.ssg.org.uk/summer-school-2021/
Faith and Reason
Faith and Reason: A Catholic Integration: A 3-day 5th-8th August residential course exploring the relationship of faith with philosophy, science and culture, offered by the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst school in Lancashire. Details and bookings at https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/faith-and-reason/
Little Sisters of the Poor: Urgent Appeal
The Little Sisters of the Poor have launched a fundraising appeal in response to the increasing pressures faced by St. Joseph’s Care Home during the current pandemic. Details at http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/caritas/pdfdoc/2021/Diocesan%20Website%20Appeal%20April%202021.pdf
25 July – 8 August 2021
Sunday 25 July
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Public Mass
Tuesday 27
12:15pm
Public Mass
Wednesday 28
7:00pm
Public Mass
Susan Laing RIP
Thursday 29
9:15am
Public Mass
Friday 30
12:15pm
Public Mass
Pat Smith
Saturday 31
9:15am
Public Mass
Sunday 1 August – Sunday XVIII
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Public Mass
Sunday 8 – Sunday XIX
10:00am
Open for pre-booked attendance only
6:30pm
Public Mass
Jesus feeds the people
Today’s Gospel begins with a crowd. They have followed Jesus to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, to hear his teaching. Jesus knows that the people need to eat, and so he provides them with food. Five loaves and two fish, brought by a small boy, become enough to feed a crowd of five thousand people, through the miracle that Jesus works.
This Gospel reveals Jesus’ care for the people. He doesn’t leave them hungry – in fact, he provides an abundance of food, with twelve baskets of scraps left over. It must have been a remarkable occasion – a great picnic that people would remember for a long time afterwards. The people were united in sharing the food that Jesus had given them.
The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand prefigures our celebration of the Eucharist. Jesus showed his love for the people by giving them food, and he shows his love for us by feeding us with his Body and Blood in Holy Communion. As he was generous in providing abundant food for the crowd, so he is generous in his love for us. Just as the five thousand were brought together by sharing the food that Jesus gave them, we should be brought together by our sharing in the celebration of Mass – this is another meaning of ‘communion.’ Our celebration doesn’t end when we leave the church – Jesus calls to remain in communion, by our care for each other.
God’s love for us is generous and not stingy. Jesus provided food for a great crowd of people, and he provides for us at Mass. And he calls to show the same generous love to one another.
Sunday 25th July
Fr Emmanuel Mbeh, a Mill Hill Missionary, will celebrate both Masses at St Cuthbert’s. Fr Emmanuel is not coming to make an appeal, but to tell us about the work of Missio and to thank you for your support. Please give him a warm welcome. Fr Emmanuel will also celebrate the 6:30pm Mass on Sunday 1st August.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope Francis has designated this Sunday (25th) as a day to celebrate and pray for the elderly members of our communities. Details and resources at www.rcdhn.org.uk
Northern Cross
Centre for Catholic Studies
The CCS YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVXMDUCPr6uQGX_vQQSvw has recordings of various events, including the recent Franciscan Studies summer school.
A Rational Guide to the Assisted Suicide Debate
A recording of a webinar hosted by Bishop John Sherrington and the National Board of Catholic Women, available to view at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/a-rational-guide-to-the-assisted-suicide-debate/
Like sheep without a shepherd
Today’s Gospel begins with a sense of excitement. Last week, Jesus sent his twelve apostles out to preach, teach and heal the sick. Today, we see them return, eager to tell Jesus all that they have done. Their mission has been a success – there are crowds of people following Jesus, so many coming and going that the apostles don’t even have time to eat. Jesus’ first concern is for his apostles – they need to take time out and rest. But even that turns out to be impossible. Jesus and his disciples escape to a lonely place by boat, but the crowd follows them on foot!
When Jesus sees the crowd that has followed him, he doesn’t react with anger or annoyance. He takes pity on the people. He can see that they are lost and confused, ‘like sheep without a shepherd,’ so he takes time to teach them.
Many people today feel just as lost and confused. There are many ‘shepherds’ who will offer to lead us, but often they are preaching hatred and division. These false shepherds have no concern for the people, and are only pursuing their own interests, like the shepherds whom the prophet Jeremiah denounces in today’s First Reading. The people of Jesus’ time were drawn to him, because they saw his care and compassion for them. The people of our time, too, need to hear about the love of Jesus.
Lay Dominican Group
A small group of Lay Dominicans meets on the third Sunday of each month at 2:30pm – currently on Zoom – for about 60-75 minutes. We have a blend of prayer and of discussion as we consider what it means to bring the Word of God into our daily living.
This year is the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Dominic, and at our meeting on Sunday 18th July we will be looking at the Arca of St. Dominic, where he is buried, in Bologna.
If you would like to know more about the Lay Dominicans or would like to join our Zoom meeting on Sunday 18th July contact Andy Doyle (andydoyle1066@sky.com or 0798 543 4185).
Take nothing for the journey
How do Jesus’ apostles feel, when he sends them out to preach? They haven’t known Jesus for very long. Probably, they don’t really understand him or his teaching yet. And now, Jesus is sending them out to become teachers themselves.
The disciples don’t travel alone; Jesus sends them out in pairs, so that they can support and help each other. But he tells them to travel light, without money, food or spare clothes. Wherever they go, they will have to rely on the kindness of strangers.
The apostles preached repentance – the change of heart that brings God’s forgiveness for sins – and they brought healing for the sick. Most of all, though, they would share with the people their own experience of meeting Jesus, and how he had changed their lives. They were witnesses to Jesus, bringing Good News.
Today, Jesus sends us out to witness to him. Like the twelve apostles, we are not alone – we are members of the Church. We may feel that we have nothing in our pockets; no learning or wisdom to give to others. But, like the apostles, we can talk about how we have met Jesus, and the difference that he has made to us. We can share with others the forgiveness and healing that we have received ourselves. That’s what Jesus asks of us; to share the Good News that we have received